34-year-old has not played for Brazil since 2023 and has been ignored for March and April friendlies
The chances of Neymar making Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad have taken a massive blow after the 34-year-old was omitted from Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the March and April friendlies in the US.
Brazil will meet France in Boston on 26 March before taking on Croatia national football team in Orlando on 1 April. The two matches are the final opportunity for players to impress before Ancelotti confirms and announces his squad for the World Cup on 18 May.
Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has not appeared for the national team since suffering a serious knee injury in October 2023 that damaged both the ACL and meniscus in his left knee. The 34-year-old has recently seen an upturn on his fitness fortunes with Santos and helped his boyhood squad survive relegation last season.
However, the forward has also struggled very much with injuries and not had the full opportunity to return to top form. He was missing during Santos’ match against Mirassol last week when Ancelotti was in the stands to watch him.
Santos coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda said the Brazilian was not injured but only rested since it was a midweek game and the club needed to manage his playing time.
After announcing the squad list for the friendlies, Ancelotti said the decision to exclude Neymar was purely for fitness reasons, but that there was still a chance for the Brazilian to make the World Cup.
“Neymar is not at 100 percent and therefore he is not on the list,” Ancelotti said. “Neymar is not at 100 percent of his capability. If he can be at 100 percent physically, he can be there. Neymar could be at the World Cup. Neymar has to keep working, playing, showcasing his qualities and maintaining good physical condition.”
Several other attacking players have been given the chance to stake their claim in the seleção. Real Madrid striker Endrick has been recalled after an impressive three months on loan at Lyon, scoring six goals in 12 appearances.
There is also a first call-up for Brentford’s Igor Thiago as part of the 26-man roster.
Seleção veterans Raphinha and Vinicius Junior are on the list, alongside Chelsea’s Joao Pedro and Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha.
“We are preparing well for this World Cup. We want to arrive in the best possible condition technically, physically and mentally,” Ancelotti said. “There are players who deserve to be here because they are doing well in their respective leagues, as is the case of Endrick, Rayan, Danilo.”
Brazil squad list:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al Nassr), Ederson (Fenerbahce).
Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Ibanez (Al-Ahly), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), Wesley (Roma).
Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray).
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Joao Pedro (Chelsea).
